I am reading the Mahabharata by R. K. Narayan. One of my favorite stories in this section of
the Mahabharata is the section with the dice games. I found it interesting how Yudhishthira knew
that gambling was dangerous and that he should not partake in it but he still
did because Kshatriyas do not refuse a challenge. Then Yudhishthira allowed himself to be
caught up in the game and bet everything that he had. Then after he lost what he had it was given
it back by King Dhritarashtra after he granted two wishes to free Yudhishthira
and his four brothers. Then as
Yudhishthira was returning to his home he is called back to play more dice and
he accepts again. Then as was expected
he lost again and was forced to go into exile for twelve years and the go
incognito for one year. The fact that
later he says he thought he could win the dice game and take Duryodhana’s
kingdom is ludicrous especially considering the fact he was terrible at the
game and the person he was playing was good at the game. In addition, it is odd that he continued to
bet in the second game after the first round.
He could have played a round with a minimal bet and when he lost, he
could have retired and gone back to his home.
However, he instead continued to bet and lose. I think there was a lesson to be learned from
this about excesses, about knowing your limits, about gambling, and about being
level headed.
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| Yudhishthira gambling (Source: wikimedia) |
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